The 5 Most Common Childhood Illnesses

Updated on January 12, 2012

Along with a new bundle of joy, comes common childhood illnesses. Pediatric offices appear to be one of the many medical facilities that are filled to the brim, with anxious parents who are concerned about their child's health. From a runny nose to red bumps that appear out of nowhere, watching the clock in the doctor's office can become a nightmare. Listening to a child cry or hearing blood curdling screams while in the waiting room heightens the fear that something more severe could be wrong with your child.

Hoping to ease the pain of traveling to a doctor's office with a sick child, listed are the 5 most common illnesses among children. What to look for could your time at the pediatrics office a little less stressful.

Childhood illnesses can become a worrisome task. Hives appear out of nowhere, a large red bump appears on the arm or that sneeze does not appear to be just allergies. Due to our own upbringing we are familiar with some of the common illnesses such as a stomach, the flu, or even pinkeye. But there are many illnesses that we may have heard about and others that can be prevented. There are viral and bacterial infections that can be eliminated just by using an antibacterial soap or washing hands. When a child has a cold we should always teach them to cover their mouths and wash their hands. This lessens the chances of the infection to spread.

5. Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Do not confuse this infection with hoof and mouth disease. One of the most common childhood diseases causes a high-grade fever with blisters or sores that cover the inside of the mouth, palms and soles of the feet. Blisters may also appear on the buttocks of your child.

Prone to rear its head in the Summer or Fall it is caused by a variety of viruses called enteroviruses also known in the United States as coxsackievirus A16.

Not really serious once treated the nasty little bug disappears in about 7-10 days.

4. Croup

If your child's cough sounds like he/she is "barking" this common cough is called croup. Many children are hospitalized every year when left untreated. It is caused by a group of viruses called human parainfluenza viruses, which also aides in the creation of the common cold. Rarely fatal the treatment provided assist the child with breathing normally until the cough ends. If your child is diagnosed with Croup it normally only hangs around for about a week.

3. Impetigo

Discussing the little red bumps previously that weep fluid is called Impetigo. Highly contagious and adults can get it to. It is normally found in children 2-6 years old.

It appears as a cluster of weeping red bumps that are itchy and forms a honey-colored crust over them. Touching the bumps can spread to other children and adults. If your child appears to have these little red bumps. Do not touch them and continually wash your hands. Get them to the doctor so they can prescribe an antibiotic. They will not cause scars and you will see them disappear after about a week. Give them the antibiotic as needed and do not discontinue the medicine. Follow-up with the doctor as discussed at your appointment.

2. Fifth Disease

Commonly known as the "slapped cheek" disease because it causes a red rash on the cheeks that looks like a slap mark. A red rash may also appear anywhere on the body or the arms and legs. There are rarely any symptoms but a possible oncoming cold. It will not always make your child feel ill before the rash appears.

Fifth disease is caused by the human parvovirus B19. By the age of 5 up to 20% of all children may contract Fifth Disease. By age 19 up to 60% of all children have had this disease. Not normally serious the disease can go away in 7-10 days. The infection can also cause joint pain and be misdiagnosed as Rheumatoid Arthirits. Joint pain normally disappears within 3 weeks.

1. RSV

RSV is the most common viruses of all childhood illnesses. Commonly known as Respiratory syncytial virus it wreaks havoc more often then influenza. Many of us have had (RSV) by the time we were 2-years old. Symptoms can include runny nose, cough and fever. It may appear as a common cold.

From newborn to 1 it is the most common cause of pneumonia and inflammation of the small air passages in the child's lungs. Wheezing can be one of the symptoms of RSV and it is sometimes treated with hospitalization. Wheezing will not occur in most children and approximately only 2% of all children are hospitalized.

RSV infections normally last 2 week if treated with an antibiotic. Anyone can contract the RSV virus. Eventually after catching RSV a few times, then it is treated as common cold.

There are many more common childhood illnesses. But with any illness it is best to contact your physician to get the proper diagnosis and have it treated accordingly. Always follow-up with the doctor after the first exam. If you have a newborn to 2-years old, do not ignore the signs when they are sick. Seek immediate medical attention if you believe your child/children has contracted any of these illnesses.

Comments 22 comments

Excellent guide for parents -especially new ones - to these common childhood illnesses. I have a nephew who became quite ill with RSV and was hospitalized several times in his first 2 years of life. Great idea for a hub - rated up! Steph

Rolly A Chabot 4 years ago from Alberta Canada

Thanks aevans... as always informative and diverse. Well written.

Hugs from Canada

Denise Handlon 4 years ago from North Carolina

Nice job here AEvans. I did a similar one last year so I will link this one to yours. :)

AEvans 4 years ago from SomeWhere Out There Author

stephhicks68: RSV is one of the worse illnesses a little one could get. The doctors are bombarded with it every season. I am glad your nephew came through that storm, unfortunately there are children who honestly end up dying from RSV.

Rolly A Chabot: Thanks so much and I will be working on you tonight. :)

Denise Handlon: Thank you. If will also locate you and share the link.:)

Simone Smith 4 years ago from San Francisco

Gosh, I haven't heard of ANY of these things! I fully expected to read about babies experiencing similar illness to adult sicknesses. Clearly that's not the case! Good to know O_O

Angela Blair 4 years ago from Central Texas

Great information for parents, AEvans. I remember the days of my son's childhood illnesses and the accompanying nights staying up with a sick and cranky child. The beauty part is they DO go away. Well written and interesting. Votred UP. Best, Sis

AEvans 4 years ago from SomeWhere Out There Author

Simone Smith: They are bad little illnesses and they are a little different from Adult ones. When you have children you will be fully prepared.

Angela Blair: I believe a parent never rests. lolo! Staying up with raccoon eyes is a blessing. :)Yes they do go away. :)

mathira 4 years ago

Very useful hub for parents and many would have benefited from your hub.

Dolores Monet 4 years ago from East Coast, United States

It can be so scary to see a little one sick - but I remember, when I was young, we had measles, mumps, etc. My poor mother had to deal with little Dolores talking out of her head with high fever. Thank heavens parents don't have to deal with the illnesses of the past.

algarveview 4 years ago from Algarve, Portugal

Hello, AEvans, very interesting and it is just as you describe, once they are born you find out a whole new universe filled with illnesses and medicines, which one never knew existed. Actually, now that you described it, I think at one point my daughter may have had the fifth disease, but the rash went away so fast I didn't even take her to the doctor and it never came back again. Is it possible? Good guide, great work.

AEvans 4 years ago from SomeWhere Out There Author

mathira: Thank you. :)

Dolores Monet: I agree with you Dolores. We have came a long way from then to now. My poor mother had to deal with Chicken Pox and Calamine lotion.

algarview: With Fifth Disease it is possible. I am so glad it never came back. Kids are always drag things in, but of course we were kids once too! lolo! Thanks for stopping by.

Shyron E Shenko 4 years ago

Very informative! Thank you!

AEvans 4 years ago from SomeWhere Out There Author

Shyron E Shenko: Thank you so much. There are many more illnesses, but these were in the top 10. Some have been around for an eternity and others are fairly new. :)

iguidenetwork 4 years ago from Austin, TX

Very useful!

Mala Srivastava 4 years ago from India

You have given very useful information in this article. This hub is useful for mothers like me.

AEvans 4 years ago from SomeWhere Out There Author

Mala,

You are welcome. There are the 5 most common childhood illnesses. The same ones that drive a parent insane when they do not know what is wrong with there child. Thanks for the appreciation. :)

sgbrown 4 years ago from Southern Oklahoma

Very good information. You worry so when your babies, or grandbabies are sick and can't tell you what hurts. It is good to know the signs of common ailments. Thank you for sharing your information. Voted up, useful and sharing! Have a great day! :)

AEvans 4 years ago from SomeWhere Out There Author

sgbrown: We do worry about them and do not always know what is wrong. I am glad you found this information to be informative and thank you for the thumbs up! :)

eolikes 4 years ago from Bangladesh

useful and informative hub.

AEvans 4 years ago from SomeWhere Out There Author

eolikes: Thank you for finding the 5 most common childhood illnesses to be useful. :0

BRIAN SLATER 4 years ago from Nottingham Uk

I remember those days well, sitting up all night, cuddling, comforting, soothing your baby back to health. It's every parents nightmare having your child ill. Great list of common illnesses but it doesn't make it any easier, as any parent will tell you. Voted up :)

AEvans 4 years ago from SomeWhere Out There Author

Brian Slater: We have sleep deprivation when we have children and people wonder why we have days that we are exhausted. lolo! :)